2027 Recruitment Outlook
November 6th, 2026
2027 Recruitment Outlook:
What Should Employers Be Thinking About?
As we approach 2027, businesses across the regions are beginning to think about their recruitment priorities, future growth and the skills they will need within their finance teams.
Having spent over 25 years working in finance and accountancy recruitment, one thing I have learnt is that getting the right people into the right roles has never been more important.
Recruitment isn't simply about filling a vacancy. It's about finding people who can make a genuine difference to a business, support its ambitions and grow with it.
So, what should employers be thinking about as we head into 2027?
❓1. Don't wait until you desperately need someone
One of the biggest recruitment challenges I see is businesses waiting until a member of the team resigns, workload becomes unmanageable or a growth opportunity creates an immediate need.
This often leads to rushed decisions and compromises.
Forward planning is key. If you know your business is growing, your finance function is stretched or you have succession planning to consider, start thinking about your recruitment needs early.
Building relationships with a specialist recruiter (ME!) before you have an urgent vacancy can make a significant difference. Always available for a coffee!! ☕️
⭐️ 2. Attracting good finance professionals remains competitive
Experienced finance professionals are valuable, and employers need to think carefully about what makes their opportunity attractive.
Salary is important, but it isn't always the deciding factor.
Candidates are increasingly looking at the bigger picture, including:
✔️ Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
✔️ Company culture and management style.
✔️ Career progression and development opportunities.
✔️ Work-life balance.
✔️ The opportunity to influence and contribute to the business.
✔️ Employers who understand what candidates value will be in a stronger position when competing for good people.
💰 3. The right salary still matters
One of the most common challenges in recruitment is a mismatch between salary expectations and the responsibilities of a role.
Businesses naturally have budgets to work within, but if a position requires significant experience, commercial awareness and the ability to operate independently, the salary needs to reflect that.
Being realistic about salary expectations from the outset can save considerable time and help attract the right calibre of candidate.
𝌡 4. Finance roles are continuing to evolve
The role of finance within a business has changed considerably.
Finance professionals are no longer simply responsible for producing management accounts, reporting figures and ensuring compliance.
Businesses increasingly need people who can interpret the numbers, identify opportunities, support decision-making and work closely with other departments.
Commercial awareness, communication skills, systems knowledge and the ability to translate financial information into meaningful business insight are all valuable attributes.
When recruiting in 2027, employers should consider not just what they need someone to do today, but what they will need them to contribute in the future.
🤷♀️ 5. Don't overlook attitude and personality
Qualifications and technical ability are important, particularly within finance and accountancy, but they are only part of the picture.
A technically brilliant candidate isn't necessarily the right appointment for every business.
Personality, communication, motivation and cultural fit can make an enormous difference to the success of a hire.
Taking the time to understand your existing team, management style and working environment is just as important as preparing the job description.
The best appointments are often those where skills, experience and personality come together. But sometimes, the perfect candidate isn't the one who ticks every box.
My biggest piece of advice? TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN!
You can't necessarily change someone's attitude, but you can develop their skills, build their confidence and unlock their potential.
Don't overlook great people simply because they don't have every skill on day one.
⏱️ 6. Make your recruitment process count
Good candidates are often considering more than one opportunity.
A lengthy recruitment process, poor communication or delays in providing feedback can result in losing someone who could have been an excellent addition to your team.
A clear brief, well-planned interview process and timely feedback all help create a positive candidate experience.
Remember, candidates are interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing them.
📅 Looking ahead to 2027
For employers across the region, the year ahead presents an opportunity to review their finance teams, consider future requirements and make sure they have the right people in place to support their business ambitions.
Recruitment should be viewed as an investment rather than simply a cost.
At Vardey Recruitment, we work closely with businesses across the region, specialising in finance and accountancy recruitment. With over 25 years of industry experience, we understand the importance of finding people who offer more than just the right qualifications and experience.
Whether you are planning to expand your team, replace a key member of staff or simply want to understand the current recruitment market, we'd be delighted to have a conversation.
Thinking about your recruitment plans for 2027?
Get in touch with Clare at Vardey Recruitment to discuss how we can help you find the right person for your business.
Contact Clare
☎️ 07816 873747
November 2026